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Rob Gronkowski's return to the field will be pushed back until at least after the start of training camp, and he could miss the start of the regular season.

The New England Patriots Pro Bowl tight end will need surgery to repair a lingering issue with a disk in his spine, a person informed with Gronkowski's plans told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on anonymity of anonymity because the Patriots do not publicly detail injuries.

The issue with Gronkowski's back is just the latest injury setback for the man who caught 17 TD passes in 2011, a single-season record for tight ends. Gronkowski broke a bone in his forearm in November and has needed four surgeries since to repair the fracture and fight infections. That injury, as well as the pain in his back, has kept Gronkowski out of offseason workouts.

Now with the decision to operate on his back, Gronkowski is not expected to be cleared to practice until after the opening of training camp. The Patriots open the season Sept. 8 against the Bills in Buffalo, which is near Gronkowski's hometown. It is unknown if he'll be ready for that game.